St. Petersburg restaurateur Meredith Koko has tightened her grip on one of the Warehouse Arts District’s biggest dining draws, closing on a roughly $8 million purchase of the building that houses Urban Stillhouse and its adjoining parking lot. The deal gives her full control of the sprawling venue as she lines up a new wave of upgrades.
Sale details
According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Koko paid about $8 million for both the restaurant property and the neighboring lot. The outlet notes that putting the real estate directly in the restaurateur’s hands is a strategic move ahead of the planned renovations.
Property details
Urban Stillhouse is located at 2232 5th Avenue South. Commercial listings and property data show the parcel at roughly 0.44 acres, with the building taking up an approximately 18,000-square-foot footprint. Brokers’ listings for the site, including LoopNet, identify the property under APN 23-31-16-38628-001-0020 and provide the lot and building measurements used in local deals.
Owner and the brand
Urban Stillhouse is operated by Koko, and Intercredit Report lists HILL 1898 LLC as the licensee connected to the 2232 5th Ave S address. Local coverage, including ABC Action News, describes the venue as a bourbon-focused tasting and dining complex closely associated with Horse Soldier Bourbon.
Planned upgrades
The Tampa Bay Business Journal reports that Koko intends to renovate both the building and the parking area, although there is no firm start date on the calendar yet. With the land now in her portfolio instead of a landlord’s, she has more room to maneuver when it comes to investing in future improvements.
What it means for the neighborhood
The Warehouse Arts District has been evolving into one of St. Petersburg’s faster-growing creative corridors, with galleries, breweries and new restaurants helping to draw steady foot traffic. Visit St. Pete materials describe the district as a hub for art and dining, where ownership can influence how a property is programmed, from events to everyday use.
Property listings and public records supply the hard numbers on the parcel, while local reporting fills in the picture on the sale and Koko’s plans. For now, the closing cements Urban Stillhouse’s footprint in the district as the owner lines up the venue’s next phase.
